Applied and Professional Ethics (Online Distance Learning) MA

This online masters course can be studied full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. It consists of eight taught modules (with the option to switch one out for an independent research project) and a supervised dissertation.

Using a blend of theory and real-life case studies, you’ll gain a critical understanding of ethical issues in professional contexts such as trust, integrity, privacy, consent and professional responsibility. The taught modules are delivered through online material that combines insights from industry professionals with the latest in ethical research. Online discussions with students are facilitated by ethics lecturers throughout the modules. These discussions can be contributed to at any time of day, giving the needed flexibility for our students across the world.

Our diverse community includes people from a wide variety of countries, backgrounds and professions, with many opportunities to network and connect during your time studying with us, including various events and activities we run as an active and thriving applied ethics research centre. Several of our students have achieved the publication of a paper as a result of their time studying with us, or appeared on podcasts where they have been interviewed about an ethical issue they worked on. Whether you’re looking for a career progression, a change of direction, or knowledge of a new subject area, you’ll receive the support you need to succeed.

The course equips students with many transferrable skills. You'll learn how to engage with multiple perspectives, to interpret viewpoints charitably, to communicate your ideas clearly, and to form strong arguments for your views and decisions. You'll develop your independent research skills and you will be able to apply specialist knowledge in new contexts. This can provide the springboard for many career paths or for further study.

We live in a rapidly changing world. The inequalities of wealth and power in the workplace and across the globe, the role of businesses in ethically compromised supply chains, the impacts of climate change and the need for economic and environmental sustainability, and the growing prevalence of artificial intelligence and data collection technologies raises huge ethical problems that require our careful attention.

This online course introduces you to debates and theories around the application of ethics to professional issues such as these, helping you to navigate our complex and increasingly interlinked working environments and to think about how we might change them for the better.

### Specialist support

We have extensive experience in providing high quality online learning, having run this course for over a decade. You’ll study at the times and pace that suit you, whether taking the course full time or part time, sharing insights with other students as you learn. Throughout the course, you’ll receive expert support as well as opportunities for live discussions with your module leaders, and your academic personal tutor.

### Extensive resources

You’ll study using course materials that have been specially designed for online distance learning, including reading, supplements and exercises. You can easily access these at any time using the University’s virtual learning environment, Minerva.

The IDEA Centre is an active and thriving centre of research and learning, with regular research seminars, podcasts, and annual events such as our Medical Ethics Evening and Ilkley Colloquium all available for you to take part in. We maintain close ties with our alumni and external professionals who often share their insights and expertise at our events.

Leeds University Library is one of the UK’s major academic research libraries, and has extensive holdings to support your studies. You can access a wide range of books, journals and other items online, as well as webinars on academic skills.